Financial adviser invests in zombies

Jeff Motske is the CEO of Trilogy Financial Services in Huntington Beach, but lately he's been thinking about zombies.

He co-founded Trilogy in 1999 and grew the company into a 200-employee business offering financial planning and advice. Recently, Motske decided to try something different, forming Mad Menace Entertainment with Trilogy vice president Cary Boring and artist Matthew Newman to tackle the app market. Their first app: a game about a chainsaw-wielding monster boy named Max.

After eight months in development and a total investment of more than $200,000, Mad Menace released Grave-Stompers in August. The app is directed at gamers as young as 12 years old who arm Max with shotguns, rocket launchers and other weapons to take on undead hordes rising from the grave.

The app is for Apple's handhelds and high-end Android devices capable of handling the game's 3-D graphics. GraveStompers has been downloaded more than 500,000 times, according to the makers, and is offered as a free download with paid upgrades inside the app.

In an interview with the Register, Motske talked about his foray into the tech world, his approach to investing and his top rule for financial security.

Q.How did you end up involved in this game, GraveStompers?

A. A friend of mine showed me the concept, and since playing video games was such a huge part of my childhood, I was instantly intrigued. What really excited me though was that they've created another world with sophisticated characters and action that takes mobile gaming to an entirely new level.

Q.How did you decide whether this app would be a good investment?

A. The mobile app market is exploding. I am constantly traveling and as I walk down the aisle of the plane, I see the majority of people playing games or using some sort of mobile device, so I knew it would be a wise investment. If you want to be a successful financial planner, you have to stay on top of trends, to see which ones are viable and which companies are ripe for investment. I would not recommend that people start investing in mobile apps, per se, as they can be a very risky investment opportunity and should only be considered by those who are more than financially stable.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Success is a moving target. You never fully achieve success because there is always more you can do. At Trilogy Financial Services we are achieving goals every day, but, at the same time, new goals are being introduced and old ones are being redefined, so our work is never ever done ... and that's one of the most exciting aspects of a career in financial planning. As far as the app is concerned, it's still in its infancy, but we are encouraged by the enormous growth and popularity we have already achieved in our short existence. We can't wait to see what's around the corner.

Q.What are some of the universal tips you offer people when advising them on how to plan or spend their money?

A. My first rule is to pay yourself first. Each month when you get a paycheck, put a percentage away toward a financial goal. Whether your plan is to purchase a home, take a vacation or have a little extra spending money at the end of each month, this tip can go a long way. Also, it's never too early to start saving for your retirement and having a good, solid, sound plan in place is key.

Q.What are the common mistakes people make when it comes to financial planning?

A. The most common mistake is not saving enough money. In general, people rely too heavily on others or outside factors instead of creating their own financial plan.

Q.What have you learned from the app? Are the lessons any different than what you could get out of running your business?

A. The app is a fun new challenge and opportunity. In a way, it reminds me of how I felt when I first started Trilogy Financial Services, where everything is so exciting and filled with positive energy. I've learned just how vast the world of gaming is and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Q.What's the biggest risk you've taken in business? How did it turn out?

A. Launching Trilogy Financial Services was by far the biggest financial risk. When I first started I had just left a comfortable position with a great income and my wife was pregnant with our first child, so incurring that type of debt was a huge wager but now, 13 years later, I couldn't be happier.

Q. What is the best advice you've ever received?

A. Challenge your own comfort zones to be successful while keeping your morals and values intact. It's those risks and resilience that will help you get to where you want to be.

Q.What's next?

A. Trilogy Financial Services is in growth mode. We are aggressively searching for the right people so we can add advisers across all of our regions. The app will be made available on the Amazon Kindle Fire soon and we will announce and launch a new game that is already in the early development stages.